2014 Endorsements

Once the polls closed last night, SEIU Local 221 members and staff, community partners, and candidates gathered to hear speeches and watch the election results.

Yesterday we took some defeats at the ballot box, but also celebrated some victories as well. Over the last several weeks, Local 221 members knocked on doors, made phone calls and rallied behind candidates that will stand up for us. We weren’t able to get everyone across the finish line, but we are proud of the hard work of everyone that worked on the election.

Here are the highlights, which won’t be final until provisional and absentee ballots are counted:

In Chula Vista, Mary Salas became the first Latina mayor in San Diego County and Pat Aguilar won re-election. Our third endorsed candidate Steve Padilla seems unlikely to overcome an election night deficit.

In Poway, Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff and Charles Sellers knocked off two incumbents (!!) and now represent two of the three pro-labor board members on the Poway Unified School Board.

In National City, SEIU Local 221 Member Mona Rios won reelection for city council but Ken Seaton-Msemaji seems to have fallen short. However, Prop D (1% sales tax), which will stabilize the city budget, passed with the overwhelming support of National City voters.

In Imperial Beach, Council Members Ed Spriggs and Lorie Bragg look to have won reelection.

Congressman Scott Peters was down on Election Night, but we believe he has a good chance to prevail once the final votes are counted.

Our endorsed candidates swept the state races, including State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Alex Padilla for Secretary of State and Betty Yee for Controller.

The most encouraging result on election day was that voters throughout the country showed they want an economy that works for all of us. We celebrated Minimum Wage and/or Earned Sick Days victories in San Francisco, Oakland, Massachusetts and even Nebraska and South Dakota.

Congratulations to all of the members that gave time to support our endorsed candidates. Remember, our political power comes from the strength of member participation, so get involved!

This election, SEIU members are supporting candidates who will make the economy work for all of us, not just the wealthy few.

SEIU Local 221 is committed to ensuring each of our members casts their ballot. The 2014 November 4th Election is 7 days away, and will be a low turnout election, so every knock, phone call and worksite conversation will make a huge difference.

SEIU Local 221 members and staff GOTV with Mary Salas for Mayor of Chula Vista, Steve Padilla for Chula Vista City Council and Mona Rios for National City City Council.

On Saturday, October 18th, SEIU Local 221 members and staff got out the vote! From the South Bay to Vista, members knocked on doors to make sure we elect leaders who will pursue an agenda defending vital services and creating good jobs, for the working men of women of San Diego.

We are stronger together! SEIU Local 221 members and staff got the vote out alongside our brothers and sisters at IBEW Local 569 and the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council.

Poway:
Michelle O’Connor Ratcliff for Poway Unified School District
Charles Sellers for Poway Unified School District
John Riley for Poway Unified School District

SchoolsKevin Beiser, San Diego Unified School District Board, B*
Michael McQuary, San Diego Unified School District Board, C*
Maria Senour, San Diego Community College District, District A*
Peter Zschiesche, San Diego Community College District, District E*
Arturo Solis for Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat #1*

Adrian Arancibia for Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat #2*
Frank Tarantino for Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat #3*
Nicholas Segura for Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat #4*
Paula Hall for Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat #5*

Francisco Tamayo for Chula Vista Elementary School District, Seat #1*
Leslie Ray Bunker for Chula Vista Elementary School District, Seat #3*
Eduardo Reyes for Chula Vista Elementary School District, Seat #5*
Griselda Delgado for Southwestern Community College Seat #1*
Nora Vargas for Southwester Community College Seat #2*
Maria Betancourt-­‐Casteneda for National School District*
Josh Clorfeine for Del Mar Union School District*
Rick Cassar for Mira Costa Community College*
Luciana Corrales for National City School District*

There is so much at stake in the 2014 elections for San Diego’s working families. Quality jobs and quality public services. Access to affordable healthcare and a secure retirement. Good schools, roads and safe communities.

That’s why the hard-working members of SEIU Local 221 — San Diego County employees, employees in cities across San Diego & Imperial Counties, Head Start employees, school employees, and Court Reporters — are making their voices heard this November. By interviewing, educating and electing candidates who will fight for quality jobs and public services, we can make sure that the true winners of this year’s election are the working families of San Diego. For information on the endorsed candidates, please click here.

We can’t do this alone! Join us in making sure we elect leaders who will pursue an agenda defending vital services and creating good jobs, for the working men of women of the SEIU Local 221 endorsed candidates for Congress and state/local races across California.

Please set your schedule between now and November 4th as every phone call and door knock will count! To RSVP, sign up online or contact Political Director, David Lagstein at david.lagstein@seiu221.org or (858) 560-0151 ext. 250

SEIU Local 221 is proud to announce our endorsed political candidates for the November 2014 election. Our voice will be more important than ever this election. There is no “high-profile” race for governor or President, so turnout is expected to be low. Our job is to talk to SEIU members and working families and let them know about the key choices in this election. Our votes and our volunteering could be the margin of victory for our union and our community!

SEIU Local 221 is pleased to announce the following new endorsements in National City, Imperial Beach and Poway. In National City, members endorsed incumbent Ron Morrison for Mayor, Ken Seaton Msemaji for City Council and support for Proposition D as well as previously endorsed incumbent Mona Rios for City Council. The Imperial Beach City Council race features previously endorsed Ed Spriggs and newly endorsed Lorie Bragg. Lastly in Poway, members announced the endorsement of Michelle O’Connor Ratcliff, John Riley and Charles Sellers for the Poway Unified School District.

Priority races at the state level will be to elect Betty Yee for State Controller and Tom Torlakson for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Our members will also be working tirelessly to ensure the relection of Congressman Scott Peters for the 52nd Congressional District.

In local races, members will continue to walk and phone bank for Carol Kim for San Diego City Council District #6; Mary Salas, Mayor of Chula Vista; and Steve Padilla and Pat Aguilar, for Chula Vista City Council. SEIU’s endorsements are made in a town hall process in which members evaluate candidates’ policy positions, listen to them speak, interview them, and then make their recommendations. The town halls are open to all members in each district.

Click here to see the full list of SEIU endorsed candidates and initiatives. For a printable version of this list, click here.

SEIU Local 221 endorsed candidates from National City and Chula Vista.

The Member Political Organizer Committee and the Latino Caucus of SEIU Local 221 hosted the South Bay Election Kickoff BBQ for members and their friends and family. Despite the heat, members managed to stay cool and enjoy the food, view and chance to mingle with SEIU endorsed candidates from Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach.

To see more photos from this great event, please visit the complete photo album here on our Facebook page!

SEIU Local 221 members (from Left to Right) Don Jasmund, Ruben Huerta, Michael Banjoman and Lena Phillips at the National City One Voice back in September.

Did you know that we have a vote to choose which candidates our union supports for elected office? It’s our choice. Don’t miss your chance to have a say.

Over the next two months, SEIU Local 221 will be holding meetings with political candidates to ask questions and discuss priorities. This is a chance for Local 221 members to hear from the elected officials whose decisions will impact our jobs, our neighborhoods and our families’ futures – and to shape the outcome of their elections. SEIU will be making endorsements in these important races, and these town halls are our time to make our voices heard.

Below is a list of the meetings that will be taking place in August and September:

It’s important that local politicians see SEIU Local 221 members as their constituents and active participants in government and politics. Political action is not just about helping elect people who support local services; it also includes maintaining a relationship between our members and the people who represent them.

For more information on the One Voice process, contributing to COPE and upcoming meetings, please contact David Lagstein, Political Director, at david.lagstein@seui221.org or (858) 560-0151 ext.250.

WE FELL SHORT ON ELECTION DAY: Supervisor Bill Horn has never had to sweat this much in his 20 years as a politician. When the first mail ballots were counted last night, he was losing by 130 votes. But as the evening wore on, it appeared as though our campaign fell short. We want to make sure every vote is counted, but the current count is 51% to 49% in favor of Horn and the math isn’t in our favor.

Although the results aren’t looking good, we have a lot to be proud of. SEIU members knocked on thousands of doors and made thousands of phone calls to identify supporters and get out the vote. Win or lose, we led an aggressive and strategic campaign with unprecedented participation that will make any elected official think twice before crossing SEIU 221 members.

Overall this was a mixed election result for SEIU endorsed candidates. Here are the results of a few key races:

In San Diego, Carol Kim (Council District 6) advanced to the November election but Sarah Boot (Council District 2) has fallen short.

In San Diego, Carol Kim (Council District 6) advanced to the November election but Sarah Boot (Council District 2) has fallen short.

In Chula Vista, Mary Salas (Mayor), Pat Aguilar (Council) and Steve Padilla (City Council) all advanced to the November election.

Bob Brewer (District Attorney) did not advance to the November election.

Alex Padilla (Secretary of State) and Tom Torlakson (State Superintendent) advanced to the November election.

In San Diego, Prop B & C (Protect Children’s Health in San Diego) was defeated by the well-funded opposition.

Congratulations to all of the members that gave time to support our endorsed candidates. Remember, our political power comes from the strength of member participation, so get involved! If you are interested in donating to COPE (Committee on Political Education) and would like to get involved in the Member Political Organizer Committee please contact me at David.Lagstein@seiu221.org.

We don’t win every race, but we always keep organizing for our families and our community! Stay tuned for our plans for the November election.